In a nation where more than 3.5 million births occur each year, the experience of giving birth reveals who is valued, who is heard, and who is left behind.
The Perfect Birth Myth offers a sweeping, deeply human exploration of childbirth in the United States, the country with the most highly resourced and costliest maternal healthcare in the world, yet the highest rate of maternal mortality among developed countries. Drawing on decades of experience in maternal health, midwifery, and journalism, Avital Norman Nathman and Deborah Wage weave historical analysis, policy insight, personal narratives, and data from approximately 3,000 people who've given birth to examine the forces shaping American birth culture. From the pursuit of the "perfect birth" and the commercialization of care to the racial and psychological inequities embedded in the system, they reveal how medicalization, racism, and profit-driven policies have eroded autonomy, safety, and dignity in childbirth.
Both exposé and call to action, The Perfect Birth Myth reframes birth as an act of justice, community, and self-determination. Readers will emerge with an understanding that instead of pushing for perfection, we should be pushing for equity, respect, and shared humanity.
eBook - PDF
The Perfect Birth Myth
Pushing Back Against a Broken Industry
- 193 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - PDF
About this book
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half-title Page
- Title Page
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Preface
- Introduction
- 1 The Paradox of Perfection When It Comes to the Birth Industry
- 2 The Birth of the Birth Plan
- 3 From Fear to Fearless: Te Psychology behind the Perfect Birth
- 4 Why Are We the Worst in the World?
- 5 White Supremacy, Racism, and a System Setup to Fail People of Color
- 6 It Pays to Give Birth, but Who’s Making the Money, and at What Cost?
- 7 Pandemics Don’t Give a Shit about Perfection
- 8 Pushing Back
- 9 Solutions
- 10 Resources
- Bibiliography
- Index
- Imprint
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Yes, you can access The Perfect Birth Myth by Avital Norman Nathman,Deborah Wage in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Social Sciences & Gynecology, Obstetrics & Midwifery. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.